MINNEAPOLIS: Children’s Theatre Company has announced its 2018-19 season, featuring eight productions.
“This season brings remarkable theatre from truly amazing artists—some we have already had the pleasure of seeing their work on our stage, and others we are excited to introduce to you,” said artistic director Peter C. Brosius in a statement.
The season will start with the world premiere of The Best Summer Ever! (July 12-29), by Kevin Kling with music by Victor Zupanc, a one-man show about the delights of summer vacation through the eyes of nine-year-old Maurice. Kling will star and Brosius will direct.
Next up will be Last Stop on Market Street (Sept. 15-Oct. 21), a musical co-commissed with the Chicago Children’s Theatre. The musical, adapted by Cherl L. West from the book by Matt de la Peña, features music and lyrics by Paris Ray Dozier and Lamont Dozier, and tells the story of a six-year-old who goes on a bus ride with his Nana and sees that things are not always as they seem. Henry Godinez will direct.
The season will continue with the world premiere of Carlos Murillo’s I Come from Arizona (Oct. 9-Nov. 25), an adaptation of Augusta and Noble, about a 14-year-old Mexican girl living on the South Side of Chicago who learns secrets about her past and the complexities of immigration through a Global Perspectives class. Lisa Portes will direct.
Just in time for the holidays will be Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Nov. 6-Jan. 6, 2019), with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, and music by Mel Marvin. The musical tells the story of a cantankerous Grinch who ruins the holiday celebrations of the residents of Whoville. Linda Talcott Lee will choreograph and Brosius will direct.
Next will be Mr. Popper’s Penguins (Jan. 15-Feb. 24, 2019), presented by Children’s Theatre Company in association with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment & TC Beech. The musical, based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater, was adapted for the stage by Pins and Needles Productions and features music by Luke Bateman and lyrics by Richy Hughes. The story follows Mr. Popper, a modest painter who turns his talented penguins into a traveling vaudeville act to support his family. Emma Earle will direct.
Following will be The Biggest Little House in the Forest (Jan. 29-March 10, 2019), adapted by Rosanna Staffa from the book by Djemma Bider, with music by Zupanc. The CTC original production is about a butterfly who turns a vacant house into a home for herself, and must make room for the menagerie of creatures who move in one by one. Brosius will direct.
Next will be the world premiere of The Hobbit (March 12-April 14, 2019), adapted by Greg Banks from the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, about an unlikely hero who finds himself on a mystical adventure. Banks will direct.
The season will conclude with Roald Dahl’s Matilda (April 28-June 23, 2019), with a book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, and orchestrations and additional music by Chris Nightingale. The musical follows a young girl who uses telekinetic powers to defend her friends and fight back against her cruel parents. Lee will choreograph, and Brosius will direct.
Children’s Theatre Company, founded in 1975, creates theatre experiences that educate, engage, and entertain audiences of all ages.
